Advanced Maternal Age?

Does anyone else's Dr.s office automatically set you up for an appt with a specialist for genetic counseling and special us because you are 35 or older? I was pretty shaken when they called today. The gal assured me that it's routine for advanced maternal age-nothing about me personally. This category I'm now placed in is a little, well, hurtful. I'm 35 and 8 weeks with #2.

Does anyone else's Dr.s office automatically set you up for an appt with a specialist for genetic counseling and special us because you are 35 or older? I was pretty shaken when they called today. The gal assured me that it's routine for advanced maternal age-nothing about me personally. This category I'm now placed in is a little, well, hurtful. I'm 35 and 8 weeks with #2.

Mine didn't, but then he is close to my age and he and his wife are trying for children as well so he looks at women having children at age 35 and above a little differently. Don't let the AMA term get to you- just enjoy all the extra attention and sonograms!

Mine didn't, but then he is close to my age and he and his wife are trying for children as well so he looks at women having children at age 35 and above a little differently. Don't let the AMA term get to you- just enjoy all the extra attention and sonograms!

I'm 35 & am not getting treated any differently because of it. I'm in an environment where 35 plus is very common. Everyone I know at work (& we all use same health plan service) who has had babies in the past 5 years has been 35-38. So, they don't seem to use that term at all.

I'm 35 & am not getting treated any differently because of it. I'm in an environment where 35 plus is very common. Everyone I know at work (& we all use same health plan service) who has had babies in the past 5 years has been 35-38. So, they don't seem to use that term at all.

Mine didn't. I had a babies at 36 and 37. The only extra screening I had done was a Level 2 ultrasound with both. Don't let all their AMA talk scare you. Both my boys were born totally healthy! We are becoming the norm with pregnancy. I know it's hard, but try to relax and enjoy! Congrats Mama!!!

Mine didn't. I had a babies at 36 and 37. The only extra screening I had done was a Level 2 ultrasound with both. Don't let all their AMA talk scare you. Both my boys were born totally healthy! We are becoming the norm with pregnancy. I know it's hard, but try to relax and enjoy! Congrats Mama!!!

Awwww. Yup. Automatic for me too. And I'm gonna be 35 in July. But I guess medical history and the fact that I was drinking a lot (before prego) didn't help. It is rather scary to be label "high risk" I cried and days on end... As if hormones aren't enough. I don't blame my doc though... I think is just unfortunate statistics. We'll be okay :)

Awwww. Yup. Automatic for me too. And I'm gonna be 35 in July. But I guess medical history and the fact that I was drinking a lot (before prego) didn't help. It is rather scary to be label "high risk" I cried and days on end... As if hormones aren't enough. I don't blame my doc though... I think is just unfortunate statistics. We'll be okay :)

It depends on your insurance. Mine did set me up with the appointment right away. I miscarried that time and then when I got pregnant again they attempted to set me up for it again. I declined to go because I already knew what tests I would do

It depends on your insurance. Mine did set me up with the appointment right away. I miscarried that time and then when I got pregnant again they attempted to set me up for it again. I declined to go because I already knew what tests I would do

My doctor used same terms (35) but only offered the additional testing. Since it would not change how I would manage the pregnancy I declined-- opting instead for the earlier 16 week anatomical marking u/s. if we see any issues then we will go from there. I'm skipping the genetic testing.

My doctor used same terms (35) but only offered the additional testing. Since it would not change how I would manage the pregnancy I declined-- opting instead for the earlier 16 week anatomical marking u/s. if we see any issues then we will go from there. I'm skipping the genetic testing.

Watch out on that genetic testing. Got talked into that the first time round. Ended up being a blighted ovum (empty sac no baby... misscarried). The office didn't bother to tell me the testing was $3000 and my insurance did not cover it!!!! Needless to say this time around I got a new doctor and had already decided that I would decline if offered cause I wouldn't change my plans either way. (so far 36 weeks and all I well!)

Watch out on that genetic testing. Got talked into that the first time round. Ended up being a blighted ovum (empty sac no baby... misscarried). The office didn't bother to tell me the testing was $3000 and my insurance did not cover it!!!! Needless to say this time around I got a new doctor and had already decided that I would decline if offered cause I wouldn't change my plans either way. (so far 36 weeks and all I well!)

It really depends from
Practice to practice. 35 is when the risk to have a baby with Down Syndrome starts to increase and it just gets worse and worse with each additional year.
Some send you because the specialists can spend more time to talk to you about the risks and your options. It's very common practice! Don't feel hurt, think of it as just being extra careful!!

It really depends from
Practice to practice. 35 is when the risk to have a baby with Down Syndrome starts to increase and it just gets worse and worse with each additional year.
Some send you because the specialists can spend more time to talk to you about the risks and your options. It's very common practice! Don't feel hurt, think of it as just being extra careful!!

I'm turning 37 tomorrow. Although I am automatically considered high risk because I am over 35, my Dr really left everything up to me. I have 2 healthy boys that are 12 &14 (I know, what was I thinking right??), and my pregnancies with both were very normal with no problems so as far as tests- triple screen, quad screen, NT screen, etc. she said it was completely up to me if I wanted them or not. I I opted for a quad when it was time. The only thing she did request was a level 2 ultrasound with a maternal fetal specialist just to check out his growth and everything. She is very relaxed and positive about everything which is great. Know what? I think it is really up to you, but in the end don't be offended, Maybe just appreciate that they care and are so cautious. But if they push tests and procedures on you JUST BECAUSE you are barely 35 then just say something. I think deep down we all have this little whisper questioning ourselves about having a baby at this age so when someone brings it up we get a little defensive. But dont worry, You'll be GREAT!

I'm turning 37 tomorrow. Although I am automatically considered high risk because I am over 35, my Dr really left everything up to me. I have 2 healthy boys that are 12 &14 (I know, what was I thinking right??), and my pregnancies with both were very normal with no problems so as far as tests- triple screen, quad screen, NT screen, etc. she said it was completely up to me if I wanted them or not. I I opted for a quad when it was time. The only thing she did request was a level 2 ultrasound with a maternal fetal specialist just to check out his growth and everything. She is very relaxed and positive about everything which is great. Know what? I think it is really up to you, but in the end don't be offended, Maybe just appreciate that they care and are so cautious. But if they push tests and procedures on you JUST BECAUSE you are barely 35 then just say something. I think deep down we all have this little whisper questioning ourselves about having a baby at this age so when someone brings it up we get a little defensive. But dont worry, You'll be GREAT!

No mine did not and im 43. I only got a 20 week US.. Optional blood screening which i declined since the cost is $700 here. Treated the same as when i was pregnant in my 20's. Wish i got more attention, after all, i am old.

No mine did not and im 43. I only got a 20 week US.. Optional blood screening which i declined since the cost is $700 here. Treated the same as when i was pregnant in my 20's. Wish i got more attention, after all, i am old.

I was almost 35 with my first and he asked if I wanted to do the testing etc. I declined. This is my fourth pregnancy (1 mc) and he just asks if I'm declining again. In CA at least you have to sign paperwork that declined.

I was almost 35 with my first and he asked if I wanted to do the testing etc. I declined. This is my fourth pregnancy (1 mc) and he just asks if I'm declining again. In CA at least you have to sign paperwork that declined.

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy

Advertising Notice

This Site and third parties who place advertisements on this Site may collect and use information about your visits to this Site and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like to obtain more information about these advertising practices and to make choices about online behavioral advertising, please click here